The U.S. Congress
created the Fulbright Program in 1946, immediately after World
War II, to foster mutual understanding among nations through educational
and cultural exchanges. Senator J. William Fulbright, sponsor
of the legislation, saw it as a step toward building an alternative
to armed conflict. Today the
Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government's premier scholarship
program. Each year, over 1,000 Americans study or conduct research in over
100 nations with the support of the Fulbright

The Award

The US Student Fulbright Program is designed to give recent college/university graduates, graduate students and young professionals, opportunities for personal and career development and international experience. Most awards are for one academic year. There are two types of Fulbright Awards:

Study/Research Grants: Applicants for the Study/Research Grant plan their own programs. Projects may include university coursework, independent research, special projects in the creative or performing arts, or a combination. Recent projects have involved, views of climate change in Ecuador, the social impact of Microfinance in Peru, the effectiveness of Community-Based Health Programs in the Philippines, and the emergence and proliferation of hip-hop culture in China.

English Teaching Assistantships (ETA): English Teaching Assistantships differ from Study/Research grants in that their primary purpose is to engage students in the classroom and, therefore, elaborate study/research projects that are not required. ETAs may, however, propose small research projects or community engagement activities that complement their ETA fellowship and fulfills the purpose of the Fulbright program—mutual understanding. Click here for Fulbright ETA guide.

Eligibility

US citizen at the time of application

Bachelor's degree by the beginning date of the grant. Applicants may not hold a doctoral degree at the time of application.

Preference given to applicants whose higher education was received primarily at a U.S. Institution. Undergraduate study abroad is not considered disqualifying

Sufficient language proficiency to carry out the proposed project

Good health

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, there are many specifications made for individual countries. Please see the website, or refer to the IIE Fulbright Program Book for details.

Ineligibility

Anyone who has already held a U.S. Department of State-funded Study/Research Fulbright Student Grant.

The following are exceptions:

A student who has received an ETA may apply for Fulbright Study/Research Grant award after two years have elapsed from the end date of ETA award;

A student who has received a Fulbright Study/Research Grant may receive a Fulbright-Hays DDRA award after one year has elapsed from the end date of their Study/Research Grant. Please note: candidates may submit applications for both the Fulbright Study/Research Grant and the Fulbright-Hays DDRA award in the same year, but if awarded both, may accept only one

If you are an enrolled Stanford student, you MUST apply through the Overseas Resource Center (ORC) and meet the campus deadline. As a recent Stanford graduate, you are still eligible to apply through Stanford and the ORC. The process for recent graduates is the same as it is for enrolled students and we offer the same services to alumni. All Stanford applicants are required to attend a campus interview.

Recent graduates also have the option of applying directly to the Institute of International Education (IIE) as an “at-large” applicant. Please note, however, that the ORC staff will not be able to offer advice on essays, courses of study, etc. to at-large applicants.

If you are a Stanford alumnus currently enrolled at another institution, you should apply through the institution in which you are currently enrolled

The Next Steps

If you are thinking of applying for a Fulbright Scholarship through Stanford, please do the following:

Fill out a Stanford Pre-Application

Carefully read the three handouts "Should I Apply," "Guide for Stanford Applicants," and "The Process of Applying."